Spurs face Giuseppe Rossi battle, Leeds land Lonergan - THE INSIDER

06 Jul 2011 10:42:52

Simon Jones is Sportsmail's man on the inside of all the major transfer moves this summer.
His column, published every weekday, offers an insight into the deals which will be done and those that won't - and why.
A 5/5-rating means The Insider reckons it's a done deal; 0/5 means The Insider has his mortgage on it not happening.
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GIUSEPPE ROSSIVillarreal to TottenhamTHE INSIDER says: 2/5
MEVLUT ERDINGParis St Germain to NewcastleTHE INSIDER says: 2/5
Sportsmail revealed that Barcelona's inability to finalise deals for Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez has left Rossi on the shelf at Villarreal.
Barca only have so much to spend and Rossi and his representatives are growing impatient.
The move to Barca was a certainty only a month ago but prolonged negotiations on the other deals have given hope to the Italy's striker's other suitors.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp would love to have Rossi at White Hart Lane. The former Manchester United reserve has blossomed in Spain. He is busy around the area, his hold up play has improved and he scores goals. The transfer fee would be around ?35million and Tottenham would find that. The wages could be problematic but again can be solved with some creative negotiations.
Juventus are pressing hard as they fear Sergio Aguero will be lost to Real Madrid and there is big demand for Rossi to go back to Italy.
Atletico Madrid also want Rossi to replace Aguero. Tottenham's fall from Champions League qualification is a concern while murmurings that Luka Modric and Gareth Bale could yet leave don't help either.
Despite their enthusiasm for the player it is looking increasingly difficult to pull off.
The French-born Turkey international has declared his desire to stay in Paris despite Newcastle offering ?6.7million for him.
Rennes and French champions Lille are also interested with 24-year-old Erding being linked to the latter as part of a possible ?35m deal for Eden Hazard.
Paris have also been linked with Nicolas Anelka, Dimitar Berbatov and Emmanuel Adebayor but Erding says he wants to stay and fight for his place at the Parc des Princes.
He said: 'I stay in Paris.
'I want to impose myself here and I do not fear competition.'
PSG will certainly be an exciting place to be from this summer if they continue to invest, however, Erding may find himself a frustrated spectator if the new owners push for big name signings to play.
He will do well to look into the future and see that a move to Newcastle could be a great platform for him to star on rather than be a bit-part player.
Newcastle are continuing to work on other potential targets.
Teteh Bangura remains on their radar and there could be a surprise loan deal or free agent signing yet.
ANDY LONERGANPreston to LeedsTHE INSIDER says: 5/5
STEPHEN HENDERSONBristol City to Portsmouth THE INSIDER says: 5/5
Following the sale of Kasper Schmeichel to Leicester, Leeds have been looking for goalkeeper they believe they can rely on to guide them out of the Championship.
The 27-year-old Lonergan has long been considered one of the best keepers outside the Premier League but had a dip in confidence last year which resulted in Preston bringing in Iain Turner from Everton.
However, Simon Grayson believes the move to Elland Road can give Lonergan the challenge he needs to rediscover his old self.
Lonergan has been at Preston since he was a schoolboy making his debut as a 16-year-old in a League Cup tie at Coventry in September 2000. Other clubs such as Blackpool, Everton and West Brom showed interest but never followed it up.
Lonergan was valued at ?1million a few months ago so Leeds believe they have a bargain for ?200,000 but Preston's relegation means they have to lose their big earners to survive and Lonergan quickly follows Sean St Ledger out the door.
They may bring Turner back to the club on a free but are weighing up their options.
Manager Steve Cotterill has put his scouting network and knowledge of lower league football in to good use once again as he looks to finalise a deal for the Bristol City goalkeeper.
The 23-year-old is third choice at Ashton Gate and spent last season on loan at Yeovil Town.
However, former Portsmouth goalkeeper David James rates the Republic of Ireland U21 international highly and his performances for Yeovil convinced Cotterill that he could step up a level.
The clubs will have to agree a compensation fee as Henderson is out of contract but that should be ironed out over the next few days.
Portsmouth have signed Luke Varney and David Norris and are still keen on Blackpool defender Ian Evatt.
Liverpool's unsettled defender Paul Konchesky is also keen to join them.
They have been offered South African defender Morgan Gould from SuperSport United but he is set to go on trial with Crystal Palace instead and join up with compatriot Kagisho Dikgacoi.
Gould, 28, also has offers from Russia.
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